May 2026
The
COURIER
Official Newspaper of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Winona-Rochester, MN | dowr.org
Faith Amid the Storm Fishers of Men'
'I Will Make You
IHM Seminary Honors Msgr. James Shea at Bishops and Rector Dinner
By NICOLE WENINGER
�ach year, the Immaculate Heart of Mary Seminary hosts the Bishops and Rector Dinner, an opportunity for
clergy, religious, laity, and seminarians alike to gather at the Rochester International Center for an evening of faith, fellowship, and philanthropy. Thanks to the generosity of the Diocese of Winona-Rochester community and IHM Seminary supporters, this year’s dinner was another success. On April 17, 2026, the evening began dramatically, as thunderstorms, hail, and two tornados swept through the area. During setup, Catholic Foundation staff, seminarians, and Event Center personnel took shelter in the kitchens as the tornado touched down near the Rochester Airport, less than a mile from the venue. Despite the stormy start, the evening proceeded with grace and gratitude. Monsignor James Shea, president of the University of Mary in Bismarck, was honored with the Immaculate Heart of Mary Award. This elegant statue recognizes a bishop, priest, religious, or layperson who has made significant contributions to the formation and discernment of young people, particularly in supporting diocesan seminarians as they pursue vocations to the priesthood. Throughout his career, Msgr. Shea has distinguished himself in numerous ways: becoming one of the youngest university presidents in the country, serving with Mother Teresa’s Missionaries of Charity at the Gift of Peace AIDS Hospice, ministering as a chaplain in various schools, and contributing to several boards of directors. His lifelong dedication to education and the formation of young people made him a fitting recipient of this year’s award.
Supporting the Mission of the Church through the Catholic Ministries Appeal By MARK DOCKERY
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The evening was filled with conversation, laughter, and generosity. With the largest seminary class in a decade, guests had ample opportunity to meet the men they have been supporting both spiritually and financially. Seminarians, in turn, were grateful for the chance to thank their benefactors personally. IHM Seminary’s new rector, Father Jason Kern, hosted the evening with Bishop Robert Barron of the Diocese of Winona-Rochester. Other bishops in attendance included Bishop David Tencer of the Diocese of Reykjavik, Bishop James Powers of the Diocese of Superior, and Bishop Patrick Neary of the Diocese of St. Cloud, last year’s award recipient. The seminary also recognized Bishop Gerard Battersby of the Diocese of La Crosse and Bishop Scott Bullock of the Diocese of Rapid City, who were unable to attend due to the weather.
Bishops and Rector, cont'd on pg. 6
n the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus calls his first disciples with a simple but powerful invitation: “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” (Matthew 4:19). With these words, Christ invites ordinary people to take part in his extraordinary mission of bringing the Gospel to the world. That same mission continues today in the Diocese of Winona-Rochester through the Catholic Ministries Appeal (CMA). Each year, the appeal invites the faithful across our 20 counties in southern Minnesota to come together in support of ministries and services that extend far beyond the boundaries of any one parish. Through the generosity of parishioners throughout the diocese, the CMA helps sustain the work of evangelization, support our priests and seminarians, strengthen Catholic education, and provide assistance to those most in need. This year marks an important transition for the Catholic Ministries Appeal. After several years of being administered by the Catholic Foundation of Southern Minnesota, the CMA has returned to the Diocese of Winona-Rochester and is now being coordinated directly through the diocesan Office of Stewardship and Development. Bringing the appeal back to the diocese allows us to more closely connect the appeal with the pastoral priorities of Bishop Barron and the mission of our local Church.
Fishers of Men, cont'd on pg. 6
INSIDE this issue
Welcome Home! page 7
Walking the Palm Sunday Path pages 10-11
Community and Purpose page 14